September 1-3, 2026 • Caesars Forum • Las Vegas
Registration is now open - click here to register!
September 1-3, 2026 • Caesars Forum • Las Vegas
Commercial UAV Expo 2026 has something for every professional in the commercial drone industry. Use the filters on the right to narrow the program by pass access or find the sessions most relevant to you.
The FCC's decision to place foreign-manufactured drones and critical components on its Covered List generated a palpable buzz throughout the industry, as well as some understandable confusion. This panel brings together industry veterans to cut
…
Passing a Part 107 exam and being able to fly well are no longer enough on their own to build a sustainable drone business. The market has matured, margins for generalist operators are tightening, and
…
What do pilots, fleet managers, and commercial drone operators actually think about the state of the commercial drone industry? Earlier this year, Commercial UAV News and Pilot Institute set out to find out, surveying the
…
Technology and its capabilities are changing constantly with new features, products, and software designed to make work safer, faster, less expensive, and better performing. Hear from exhibiting organizations who will highlight the latest technologies available
…Commercial UAV Expo 2026 comes before Labor Day, and we're leaning into it. Join friends and colleagues for the opening of the Exhibit Hall! Check out the latest UAS solutions, chat with vendors, and
…
Utilities have moved drones from pilot programs into core operational workflows, but scaling those programs in regulated, risk-sensitive environments comes with a distinct set of challenges. Cybersecurity requirements, vendor concentration risk, data infrastructure gaps, and
…
Regulatory decisions, NDAA compliance requirements, patent disputes, and evolving legal frameworks shape the commercial drone industry in ways that aren’t always easy to interpret, especially for operators whose expertise is in flying, not law. This
…
The commercial drone industry is advancing faster than its workforce pipeline. New regulations reshape certification requirements, technology demands new skill sets, and public perception still shapes who considers a career in the sector at all.
…
In the rapidly evolving commercial drone sector, customer acquisition is the single biggest driver of sustainable revenue growth. This session gives you the playbook you need and the pitfalls you'll want to miss for 2027
…
Insurance is one of those topics drone operators know they need to take seriously, but many don’t always fully understand until they're filing a claim. This panel brings together insurance professionals who specialize in the
…
Great flying means nothing if the photos don't deliver. Vic Moss covers the top 5 drone photography mistakes that make clients cringe and how to fix every single one.
Lunch is included for Full Conference, DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit, and Exhibitor badge holders.
Lunch is available for purchase for Exhibit Hall Only attendees.
Panelists will discuss de-identified safety reports that drone pilots have submitted to NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). Pivotal points of actions and decision-making that occurred during missions will be explored, along with lessons learned
…
As drone programs expand from small, localized projects to enterprise-level operations, maintaining precision across massive, multi-flight datasets often becomes a major bottleneck. The outstanding question facing today's geospatial professionals is: Can you truly scale UAV
…
State Departments of Transportation have moved well past the question of whether drones deliver value. The real challenge now is building programs that scale across divisions, districts, and mission types, all without sacrificing safety culture,
…
As the commercial drone industry continues to mature, the demand for qualified, well-prepared professionals has never been greater. This roundtable convenes educators, hiring managers, and established industry practitioners for a structured discussion on the pathways,
…
Certification under Part 108 and Part 146 signals regulatory authorization, but it doesn't guarantee operational reliability, economic sustainability, or ecosystem compatibility. This panel shifts the focus from achieving regulatory milestones to what comes after: how
…
Utility drone programs have long cleared the proof-of-concept stage. The last few years have seen steady but modest scaling and now the question is how to achieve exponential scale — adding many multiples of pilots,
…
Thermal imaging is where serious drone operators go to charge serious rates. In this session, we cover the operations basics and give you a clear picture of what it actually takes to get started.
Coordinating multiple aircraft, whether in a precisely synchronized drone show, a distributed infrastructure inspection network, or an autonomously dispatched emergency response fleet, introduces a fundamentally different set of challenges than single-aircraft operations. This session brings
…
The architecture, engineering, and construction industries have moved well past proof-of-concept drone deployments. The question now is how to embed aerial data collection into core workflows in ways that drive real operational value: better planning,
…
With Part 108 on the rise, commercial drone traffic will become exponentially higher in the next year. While this is an exciting advancement for industry, the influx of traffic in the airspace means more opportunities
…Autonomous flight has lowered the barrier to getting a drone in the air, but producing reliable, high-quality imagery across demanding real-world conditions still requires a pilot who understands the camera. This session examines how foundational
…
See firsthand how Thermography can be used for a solar panel inspection in this interactive demo with Jason Wood, Master Thermographer and Pilot Institute UAS Program Lead. Jason will demonstrate best practices for a successful
…Join us as we celebrate the recipients of the UAV Empower Scholarship, a program dedicated to fostering leadership through innovation, diversity, and environmental/social impact within the commercial drone industry. This brief session will introduce the
…
Drone technology has moved beyond experimentation — today, its value lies in how effectively it drives safer operations, measurable efficiency gains, and smarter decision-making. This session focuses on the practical, real-world application of UAS for
…
Invasive species and pest populations represent growing ecological and economic threats, and traditional management approaches struggle to match the scale of the problem. UAVs are changing that equation. This session brings together practitioners from mosquito
…
Every expert in this room has a story they wish they'd heard sooner. In this panel, operators from across the industry get real about the mistakes that cost them and the lessons that changed everything.
…
The Commercial UAV Exhibit Hall floor is filled with the latest products and solutions that can create countless efficiencies for your projects and workflows but what’s the best way to get a sense of what’s
…
Learn to bring Aviation Safety Culture into the drone industry and into your own missions with Commercial Airline Pilot and UAS SAR expert Kyle Nordfors.
Drone-based surveying is in the midst of a significant transition as new capabilities expand what’s possible, evolving standards re-shape how work gets done, and the operational realities on the ground fail to match the headlines.
…Artificial intelligence is reshaping commercial drone operations, but the gap between what's being promised and what's being deployed in the field remains wide. This panel cuts through the noise to examine where AI is delivering
…
As more universities are looking to implement new UAV programs of study or keep already established programs up to date with the latest UAV applications, faculty and administration are left to set standards, determine best
…As drone data collection becomes standard practice across surveying, engineering, and infrastructure projects, the ability to merge UAV datasets with mobile mapping, terrestrial lidar, ground-penetrating radar, and other capture methods is becoming an increasingly critical,
…
Technical skills get you in the door, but knowing how to market yourself as a drone professional is what keeps the pipeline full. This session brings together experienced professionals to share practical, field-tested approaches to
…
Join us at the official Commercial UAV Expo Networking Happy Hour on the show floor! Grab a beverage and connect with colleagues while exploring the latest commercial UAS solutions and innovations.
The regulatory environment governing commercial drone operations has never been more layered or more consequential for how operators run their businesses. Federal, state, and local frameworks don't always align neatly, and the gap between what
…
Getting regulatory approval is only part of what it takes to operate successfully in complex airspace. Whether you're flying in a dense urban environment, coordinating with a municipality, or integrating into active airport operations, the
…
From scouting and spraying to mapping and monitoring, drones are showing up across nearly every aspect of modern agriculture, and they're changing what's possible in the field. Farmers are getting a bird's-eye view of their
…
The commercial drone industry is growing faster than its talent pipeline can keep up with. Companies are struggling to find candidates who combine technical flight proficiency with data skills, regulatory fluency, and the soft skills
…
Flying the drone is the easy part. Turning that data into something your client actually values? That's where the real work and the real money is. Jared Janacek pulls back the curtain on his full
…This presentation will examine the future direction of the commercial drone market and the significant gaps innovators still need to fill. Drawing on insights from years of covering global UAV deployments and policy shifts, Miriam
…
Don't risk your reputation by not knowing essential site safety professionalism. You may not need to be OSHA certified to fly construction sites, but you should know the safety best practices to be professional, reduce
…Lunch is included for Full Conference, DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit, and Exhibitor badge holders.
Lunch is available for purchase for Exhibit Hall Only attendees.
Launching a drone program is one thing. Building one that scales reliably, operates safely across complex environments, and delivers consistent value over time is something else entirely. This session brings together practitioners who have navigated
…
For operators, BVLOS has long existed as a regulatory question. That’s changing. As waivers give way to standardized operations, the conversation shifts to something more practical: what does your organization actually need to look like
…Large companies are going all in on drones and building serious internal programs to prove it. In this session, get a rare inside look at how they do it, what makes these programs succeed, and
…Some of the most significant advances in commercial drone capability didn't originate in commercial applications, but were forged in environments that demanded absolute reliability under the most challenging conditions imaginable. This session examines how technologies
…
Join colleagues for a final toast to Commercial UAV Expo 2026 as we celebrate this year's event and get excited for next year's!
The FCC's decision to place foreign-manufactured drones and critical components on its Covered List generated a palpable buzz throughout the industry, as well as some understandable confusion. This panel brings together industry veterans to cut
…Passing a Part 107 exam and being able to fly well are no longer enough on their own to build a sustainable drone business. The market has matured, margins for generalist operators are tightening, and
…What do pilots, fleet managers, and commercial drone operators actually think about the state of the commercial drone industry? Earlier this year, Commercial UAV News and Pilot Institute set out to find out, surveying the
…Technology and its capabilities are changing constantly with new features, products, and software designed to make work safer, faster, less expensive, and better performing. Hear from exhibiting organizations who will highlight the latest technologies available
…Commercial UAV Expo 2026 comes before Labor Day, and we're leaning into it. Join friends and colleagues for the opening of the Exhibit Hall! Check out the latest UAS solutions, chat with vendors, and
…Utilities have moved drones from pilot programs into core operational workflows, but scaling those programs in regulated, risk-sensitive environments comes with a distinct set of challenges. Cybersecurity requirements, vendor concentration risk, data infrastructure gaps, and
…Regulatory decisions, NDAA compliance requirements, patent disputes, and evolving legal frameworks shape the commercial drone industry in ways that aren’t always easy to interpret, especially for operators whose expertise is in flying, not law. This
…The commercial drone industry is advancing faster than its workforce pipeline. New regulations reshape certification requirements, technology demands new skill sets, and public perception still shapes who considers a career in the sector at all.
…In the rapidly evolving commercial drone sector, customer acquisition is the single biggest driver of sustainable revenue growth. This session gives you the playbook you need and the pitfalls you'll want to miss for 2027
…Insurance is one of those topics drone operators know they need to take seriously, but many don’t always fully understand until they're filing a claim. This panel brings together insurance professionals who specialize in the
…Great flying means nothing if the photos don't deliver. Vic Moss covers the top 5 drone photography mistakes that make clients cringe and how to fix every single one.
Lunch is included for Full Conference, DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit, and Exhibitor badge holders.
Lunch is available for purchase for Exhibit Hall Only attendees.
Panelists will discuss de-identified safety reports that drone pilots have submitted to NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). Pivotal points of actions and decision-making that occurred during missions will be explored, along with lessons learned
…As drone programs expand from small, localized projects to enterprise-level operations, maintaining precision across massive, multi-flight datasets often becomes a major bottleneck. The outstanding question facing today's geospatial professionals is: Can you truly scale UAV
…State Departments of Transportation have moved well past the question of whether drones deliver value. The real challenge now is building programs that scale across divisions, districts, and mission types, all without sacrificing safety culture,
…As the commercial drone industry continues to mature, the demand for qualified, well-prepared professionals has never been greater. This roundtable convenes educators, hiring managers, and established industry practitioners for a structured discussion on the pathways,
…Certification under Part 108 and Part 146 signals regulatory authorization, but it doesn't guarantee operational reliability, economic sustainability, or ecosystem compatibility. This panel shifts the focus from achieving regulatory milestones to what comes after: how
…Utility drone programs have long cleared the proof-of-concept stage. The last few years have seen steady but modest scaling and now the question is how to achieve exponential scale — adding many multiples of pilots,
…Thermal imaging is where serious drone operators go to charge serious rates. In this session, we cover the operations basics and give you a clear picture of what it actually takes to get started.
Coordinating multiple aircraft, whether in a precisely synchronized drone show, a distributed infrastructure inspection network, or an autonomously dispatched emergency response fleet, introduces a fundamentally different set of challenges than single-aircraft operations. This session brings
…The architecture, engineering, and construction industries have moved well past proof-of-concept drone deployments. The question now is how to embed aerial data collection into core workflows in ways that drive real operational value: better planning,
…With Part 108 on the rise, commercial drone traffic will become exponentially higher in the next year. While this is an exciting advancement for industry, the influx of traffic in the airspace means more opportunities
…Autonomous flight has lowered the barrier to getting a drone in the air, but producing reliable, high-quality imagery across demanding real-world conditions still requires a pilot who understands the camera. This session examines how foundational
…See firsthand how Thermography can be used for a solar panel inspection in this interactive demo with Jason Wood, Master Thermographer and Pilot Institute UAS Program Lead. Jason will demonstrate best practices for a successful
…Join us as we celebrate the recipients of the UAV Empower Scholarship, a program dedicated to fostering leadership through innovation, diversity, and environmental/social impact within the commercial drone industry. This brief session will introduce the
…Drone technology has moved beyond experimentation — today, its value lies in how effectively it drives safer operations, measurable efficiency gains, and smarter decision-making. This session focuses on the practical, real-world application of UAS for
…Invasive species and pest populations represent growing ecological and economic threats, and traditional management approaches struggle to match the scale of the problem. UAVs are changing that equation. This session brings together practitioners from mosquito
…Every expert in this room has a story they wish they'd heard sooner. In this panel, operators from across the industry get real about the mistakes that cost them and the lessons that changed everything.
…The Commercial UAV Exhibit Hall floor is filled with the latest products and solutions that can create countless efficiencies for your projects and workflows but what’s the best way to get a sense of what’s
…Learn to bring Aviation Safety Culture into the drone industry and into your own missions with Commercial Airline Pilot and UAS SAR expert Kyle Nordfors.
Drone-based surveying is in the midst of a significant transition as new capabilities expand what’s possible, evolving standards re-shape how work gets done, and the operational realities on the ground fail to match the headlines.
…Artificial intelligence is reshaping commercial drone operations, but the gap between what's being promised and what's being deployed in the field remains wide. This panel cuts through the noise to examine where AI is delivering
…As more universities are looking to implement new UAV programs of study or keep already established programs up to date with the latest UAV applications, faculty and administration are left to set standards, determine best
…As drone data collection becomes standard practice across surveying, engineering, and infrastructure projects, the ability to merge UAV datasets with mobile mapping, terrestrial lidar, ground-penetrating radar, and other capture methods is becoming an increasingly critical,
…Technical skills get you in the door, but knowing how to market yourself as a drone professional is what keeps the pipeline full. This session brings together experienced professionals to share practical, field-tested approaches to
…Join us at the official Commercial UAV Expo Networking Happy Hour on the show floor! Grab a beverage and connect with colleagues while exploring the latest commercial UAS solutions and innovations.
The regulatory environment governing commercial drone operations has never been more layered or more consequential for how operators run their businesses. Federal, state, and local frameworks don't always align neatly, and the gap between what
…Getting regulatory approval is only part of what it takes to operate successfully in complex airspace. Whether you're flying in a dense urban environment, coordinating with a municipality, or integrating into active airport operations, the
…From scouting and spraying to mapping and monitoring, drones are showing up across nearly every aspect of modern agriculture, and they're changing what's possible in the field. Farmers are getting a bird's-eye view of their
…The commercial drone industry is growing faster than its talent pipeline can keep up with. Companies are struggling to find candidates who combine technical flight proficiency with data skills, regulatory fluency, and the soft skills
…Flying the drone is the easy part. Turning that data into something your client actually values? That's where the real work and the real money is. Jared Janacek pulls back the curtain on his full
…This presentation will examine the future direction of the commercial drone market and the significant gaps innovators still need to fill. Drawing on insights from years of covering global UAV deployments and policy shifts, Miriam
…Don't risk your reputation by not knowing essential site safety professionalism. You may not need to be OSHA certified to fly construction sites, but you should know the safety best practices to be professional, reduce
…Lunch is included for Full Conference, DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit, and Exhibitor badge holders.
Lunch is available for purchase for Exhibit Hall Only attendees.
Launching a drone program is one thing. Building one that scales reliably, operates safely across complex environments, and delivers consistent value over time is something else entirely. This session brings together practitioners who have navigated
…For operators, BVLOS has long existed as a regulatory question. That’s changing. As waivers give way to standardized operations, the conversation shifts to something more practical: what does your organization actually need to look like
…Large companies are going all in on drones and building serious internal programs to prove it. In this session, get a rare inside look at how they do it, what makes these programs succeed, and
…Some of the most significant advances in commercial drone capability didn't originate in commercial applications, but were forged in environments that demanded absolute reliability under the most challenging conditions imaginable. This session examines how technologies
…Join colleagues for a final toast to Commercial UAV Expo 2026 as we celebrate this year's event and get excited for next year's!
All content subject to change.
